Portable Tethered Ring Toss Game Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A ring and hook game ( 1 ) has a number of components that allow for the construction and disassembly of an apparatus that allows for play of the game without the use of existing, stationary structures. The main components of the apparatus structure include a vertical structural support ( 2 ), a horizontal structural support ( 3 ), and a base stand ( 11 ). The main components that allow for play of the game include a string ( 10 ), a hook ( 8 ), and a hook base ( 6 ). The combination of both the mobile structure and basic components for play of the game is seen as useful and desirable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application is based on and herein claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from its Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/722,199, filed Nov. 4, 2012, entitled “Portable Tethered Ring Toss Game Apparatus,” by the same inventor.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates to a skill game which involves a portable structure and a “ring-and-hook” methodology.

2. Description of Related Art

The game described herein is not unique and has been commonly known as “Bimini Ring” which has been played for hundreds of years. The game itself is not new and the basic items required are a hook, a ring and string. Typically, this game is played utilizing the existing features of a home, other existing structure, or features of nature (tree to attach the string and hook). The object of the game is to direct the ring, that is attached to a string, onto a hook staged a distance away from the player.

Previous ring toss games used existing structures such as a ceiling and wall arrangements described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,019. U.S. Pat. No. 3,009,702 describes the same basic premise, but a support arm is attached to the ceiling and wall.

Other ring toss games exist which claim a similar game type, for example, by Hilbert and Parrish in U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,664. This invention claims arms pivotably mountable and two or more ring-like members. Issues that arise with this arrangement can include rings getting tangled during play as well as string lengths that can hinder game performance. The claimed apparatus consisting of ball-like joints and telescoping members can be expensive to construct and allows for mechanisms of failure when used repeatedly. Furthermore, the apparatus does not provide adjustability when playing on an uneven surface leaving some players at a disadvantage. Finally, the use of a fixed hook can lead to decreased performance because small adjustments in either the string length or hook position are required for game play. This is due to the fact that the degree of tolerance for success is small. Minor misalignments in these two components can reduce playability.

The same lack of adjustability is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,200 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,918.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,918 makes a claim that an open area behind the target hook is beneficial because it allows for free movement of the ring. The invention described herein claims to specify a base be specified behind the target hook to act as a stopping mechanism and allow for more successful play. Also the base can be used for the placement of visual graphics.

A major disadvantage of prior art relating to this ring toss invention is the lack of portability, design for manufacture, and lack of marketing ability. The invention described herein allows for portability when disassembled, basic components for constructability, and a unique board that allows for the placement of advertisements, marketing material, logos, trademarks, or other visual arts.

SUMMARY

The game apparatus according to the present invention overcomes the limitation of current game apparatuses and provides a solution to allow for optimal game play within a transportable arrangement. This is a vast improvement over the design characteristics of prior art ring and hook games that limit play to areas where existing, permanent structures are need for game play. This system must be easily stored when not in use and be transportable. The ring toss game apparatus of the present invention is designed to use a minimum number of required pieces of equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the invention more clearly, convenient embodiments will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the components comprised to allow for play of the game.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the ideal arrangement of the hook base for adjustability.

FIG. 3 shows components that comprise the base of the game apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates a connected game apparatus in an isometric view.

FIG. 5 shows the same arrangement and view as FIG. 4 but with the detachable joints disconnected from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The game apparatus according to the present invention overcomes the limitation of current game apparatuses and provides a solution to allow for optimal game play within a transportable arrangement. This is a vast improvement over the design characteristics of prior art ring and hook games that limit play to areas where existing, permanent structures are need for game play. This system must be easily stored when not in use and be transportable. The ring toss game apparatus of the present invention is designed to use a minimum number of required pieces of equipment.

FIG. 1. shows the ring and hook game (1) with multiple components used to create a structure in order to provide a stationary connection (9) for a string (10) by which a ring (8) attached. The ring (8) can then be maneuvered with the intent to place the ring (8) on the hook (7) attached to a hook base (6) on the vertical structural support (2) of the game structure. The attachment between the hook base (6) and the vertical structural support (2) is made by an adjustable connection or clamp (5). The vertical structural support (2) is connected to the horizontal structural support (3) by means of a connecting joint (4). The connecting joint (4) can either be on a rotating pivot or allow for detachment from the vertical structural support (2) and horizontal structural support (3) to allow for the game apparatus to be stored in a compact arrangement for transportability. The apparatus contains a base structure (11) from which the vertical support structure (2) is attached. The base structure (11) shown in FIG. 1 is shown in a perpendicular arrangement with a single connection location to the vertical support structure (2); however, the base may be configured in other arrangements possibly with more supporting members to allow for greater structural integrity.

In order for the game to be portable, the vertical and horizontal structural supports (2) and (3) in FIG. 1 could possibly have either have a telescoping feature, separated pieces, or can be collapsible with a hinge, as examples. The separated pieces are shown in FIG. 5. The collapsible hinge or adjustable pivot (4) connecting the support (2) and (3) is shown in FIG. 1.

The adjustable pivot (4) would allow the device to remain in one piece, fold in a tight arrangement for travel, and secure in place when the game is being played. The adjustable pivot (4) could be a fixed part if the setup requires that the game be separated into multiple pieces (24) as shown in FIG. 5.

The ideal arrangement would allow setup without tools. This concept is displayed as (24) in FIG. 5 for the overall structure and as (17) in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 the hook base (12) is connected to the vertical structural support (16) by means of a clamp (13). The clamp (13) is adjusted by a hand-tightening screw (14) and nut (15). The detensioning of the hand-tightening screw would allow for vertical adjustment in both directions. The vertical structural support (16), hook base (12), and clamp (13) in FIG. 2 are the same components as shown by (2), (6), and (5), respectively, in FIG. 1 with a different view.

The hook base (12), shown in FIG. 2, can be moved in the vertical direction. The feature is advantageous because it is difficult to tie the length of the string to an exact length and this movement would optimize game setup and performance. It is ideal that the tip of the hook is located in the middle of the ring with the string taught and this motion allows for finer tuning without changing the length of the string. The clamp (13) in FIG. 2 would still create enough frictional force to remain in place during play of the game.

The base design (18) in FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of can be held upright utilizing a few features. This embodiment shows a base (18) that can also be portable with collapsible legs (20) and (21). A collapsible feature can also be utilized which can involve a tripod arrangement. Another arrangement can include a support that can be inserted into the ground to act as a base. The purpose of the base would be to support the structure of the game. Because the game may not be played on flat surfaces, and ideal arrangement would allow for the user to move the support leg so that it is upright. This can be accomplished with adjustable legs or a universal locking joint at the leg attachment with the stand. The vertical structural support (19) in FIG. 3 is the same component as shown by (2) in FIG. 1 with a different view. The collapsible legs (20) and (21) shown in FIG. 3. Are the same components as depicted by (11) in FIG. 1.

The connected fixed part arrangement (23) is shown in FIG. 4. The separated fixed part arrangement (24) is shown in FIG. 5. For ease of construction by the user, the separated fixed part arrangement may include a method to easily connect the pieces. This can include a color coding system. This can also include a flexible piece such as a string to be permanently within the structure that physically demonstrates adjacent piece connections. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ring and hook game apparatus that provides structural support for game play and the ability for transformation to allow for simple transport. The portable ring and hook game apparatus comprising of: a. Structural supports that allow for attachment of; b. A string; and c. A base for a hook.
 2. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a structure that is portable by means of collapse or disconnection
 3. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a structure that is collapsible by use of a pivoting mechanism or allow for physical separation of components.
 4. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 can be separated into components as described in claim
 3. The components can be constructed with instructions by use of a visual system like color coding connecting pieces or physically by connecting conjoining pieces with guide string.
 5. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base that is adjustable with respect to the support structure.
 6. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of claim 5 that can be adjusted without the use of tools.
 7. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of claim 5 that allows for the connection of a hook.
 8. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of claim 5 that has a surface for decorations or visual art. 